Youth football: Allstars and Predators rise to challenge to reach semis

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UNDER-15

Allstars 5 Worthing Minors 3

Allstars secured a place in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup after another never-say-die victory to make it seven wins from seven games.

Playing against a strong wind, Allstars created a few chances but Minors opened the scoring when a wind-assisted corner crept in at the near post.

Allstars levelled ten minutes later when George Bingham finished a fine move at the far post.

He could have put Allstars in the lead when he rose at the far post but he hit the bar with a great header.

Minors played the long ball over the top but the defence of Scott Bingham, Matt Morris, Curtis Buck and Aaron Smith dealt with most long balls.

Minors increased their lead when good wing play and poor marking saw their right midfielder strike into the bottom left-hand corner

Allstars levelled just before half-time when Liam Morley sent a sublime chip over the Minors keeper.

In the second half, Allstars created many chances but none would end up in the back of the net and they were punished by another long ball over the top which was despatched into the bottom corner.

Floyd pulled off an outstanding point-blank save to prevent Minors increasing their lead and this seemed to kick Allstars into gear.

Joe Jones finished a fine move at the far post to make it 3-3.

Undoubtedly the two best goals of the game came from the Minors.

Some great play by Osborne, Scott Bingham, Smith and Jones saw George Bingham sweep a left-footed shot across the keeper into the top right-hand corner.

Another great run by Charlie Osborne, chasing a ball nobody thought he would get, saw him get to the ball, beat a defender on the byline, look up and pick out the on-rushing Jones, who finished at the far post to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Predators Yth 9 Regis Rebels 2

Predators eased into the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup with a convincing win.

Angus Hamilton and Toby Lauder established control in the midfield, enabling Sean Donner and Alex Burford freedom to roam down down the wings and pepper crosses into the Rebels’ box.

Sean Donner opened the scoring, cutting in and drilling past the keeper.

Shortly after, he crossed for Jordan Smith and then for Kieran Waldron to slide home.

Alex Burford added a fourth from a solo run, then set up Jordon Smith for another tap-in. The Rebels replied with a well-taken penalty before half-time.

Predators continued to dominate in the second half but Rebels were allowed to create more chances, forcing keeper Connor Fellows to make several good saves.

But three more goals from Jordan Smith and another from Alex Burford quashed any chances of a comeback as Predators finished strongly.

Predators: Fellows, Burford, Clarke, Daniels, Donner, Hamilton, Hanslip, Lauder, Sanctuary, Smith, Waldron.

UNDER-TEN

Pulborough Pythons Red 1

Chichester City Colts 4

Pulborough found themselves on a back foot from relentless pressure.

It was inevitable Chi would take the lead and they did so with a goal from Joe Middleton.

Soon a great overhead head kick from Middleton beat the Pulborough keeper.

Reliable defending by Ben Roberts and Douglas Smith kept out Pulborough but they did hit back to make it a more evenly-contested game.

Then a fine individual goal from Louis Godfrey finally gave Chi control and the killer goal from Harry Angel secured the victory.

This was a fine team effort from Chi, who seem to get stronger every game.